60 Minutes per Month Plank Challenge - January 2020!
jeffrey_ad
Posts: 789 Member
in Challenges
Happy New Year! Are you ready to plank in 2020? Let's continue the daily plank challenge and continue the tradition of @Spliner1969:
This is a pretty simple challenge thread for those that want to have some accountability with their plank workouts. This plank challenge thread is meant to be flexible enough that people of various fitness levels should be able to successfully complete it as long as they are consistent with doing their planks regularly. If you find you cannot complete 60 minutes. or want to do more, you are welcome to set your own goals, many of us do.
Original Challenge Goal - 60 minutes of planks for the month. That's about 2 minutes of planks daily, or 3 minutes of planks for 20 days or 5 minutes of planks for 12 days...or...what ever you want to do to reach the challenge goal. I, personally, do mixed planks of up to 10 minutes per day. I split them up throughout my normal workouts or do them in a couple of longer mixed sets at the end of my normal workout routine.
>>If you are already a planking superstar or start to consistently hit the challenge goal, feel free to post your own goal at the beginning of the challenge that is higher than the one for the posted challenge. Or post an updated goal once you hit 60 minutes.
>>If you join us late in the month, feel free to post an alternate goal that is in the spirit of the original challenge (for example, joining around the 15th would be a 30 minute plank challenge to finish out the month).
How many sets? As many as you need. If you can do a 5 minute plank in one set, that is amazing!! If you want to do a few sets of 1 - 2 minute planks, that's amazing too! If you need to break up your planks into multiple sets of 15-30 seconds, that's complete fine! I do a 5-minute set that goes something like this:
30 seconds forearm, 30 seconds straight arm with 15 push ups added in for good measure, 30 seconds left side plank, 30 seconds right side plank, repeat the 30 second side planks until I hit 5 minutes total without stopping. Mixing things up gives me a more rounded workout, and I generally never hold any one position longer than 1 minute. I'll then stop, do some yoga, stretching, maybe a few crunches or leg lifts, inverted bicycles, then I'll go back and do this 5-minute plank again to finish up my 10 minutes for the day. Feel free to create your own or mix things up however you would like.
Types of planks? ALL planks and their variations count! Straight arm planks, forearm/elbow planks, side planks, reverse planks, etc. This allows you to vary your planks depending on your personal workout goals. (See next post for a variety of planking ideas.) I even add push ups during some of my planks as well as leg raises, etc. to push just a bit harder. Remember form is more important than length of the plank. Don't slouch. Make sure your core is tight during each plank, don't put all the pressure on your arms or legs, don't slouch. There are plenty of youtube videos (some examples below) about how to make a plank effective with good form. Take some time and view a few of them. It'll help in the long run. Your times can increase as you get better, no worries if you can only do a few seconds at first. Rest, and do a few more seconds, or switch positions. If any of you find better examples you’d like included in the examples below, please post them and I’ll add them in next month. Want to make your own video? Go for it, I’d be super happy to post it.
How to join / participate? Just post your intended goal, then the total minutes of the planks you did for the day and your running total for the month. Just post either daily or as often as you can with your running totals. Some of us only get time to post on the weekends or get tied up doing other things. Catch up when you can, no pressure. No spreadsheets, no groups. Easy peasy.
Last month's 60 minute plank challenge thread:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10774200/60-minutes-per-month-plank-challenge-december-2019
Welcome and get planking!!
I am continuing this challenge for @Spliner1969 who continued it for @b3achy, the original author. All credit goes to her for starting this thing many many moons ago. All original examples, quoted text, and ideas were, and still are, her contribution. She tells me she copied this from another site, well.. it's ours now! I take no credit here, just keeping the torch lit in her absence. Stay tuned for some examples, and happy planking!
I'd like to add (as stated above in bold) that it has long since been a tradition that we accept any goal. If you don't feel you can do 60 minutes, or if you start late in the month, we want you here. So post your personal goal and start planking. You can come back each month and increase your times until you reach the challenge goal or go beyond it. Some of us go way beyond it and that's ok too. There's no need to feel you have to out match someone else. Your goals are just that, yours. We have never been judgmental. Everyone needs a strong core, and we believe this is a good path to that goal!
Some examples:
30 Day Beginner Plank Challenge - builds to a 2 minute plank (total is 26 minutes and 55 seconds for the month, so 33 minutes and 5 seconds short of 60 minutes. Recommend doing multiples earlier in the program when they are shorter to get more minutes for 60):
30 Day Advanced Plank Workout - building to 5 minute planks (total is 53 minutes and 20 seconds for the month, so 6 minutes and 40 seconds short of 60 minutes unless you do multiples earlier in the program):
Here's an Alternate 30 Day Plank Workout (for beginners, intermediate, and advanced) that also builds to 5 minutes of Planks (by doing multiples of no more than 30 sec planks; also 53 minutes and 20 seconds for the month):
For details on the variations, here's the full slideshow: https://www.slideshare.net/TodaysFitnessTrainer/30-day-plank-challenge
@b3achy wrote: »
Intermediate Plank Workouts:
These are intermediate level workouts, good to try once you have a good foundation of standard planks and are looking for something more interesting or with more variety.
3 minute Bowflex Plank Workout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynUw0YsrmSg
Rebecca Louise 5 minute Plank Workout (shows nearly proper form (butt's a little too far in the air, IMO), and modified forms):
https://youtu.be/O1Ge7uGpjFY
DareBee 5 minute Plank Workout:
DareBee Killer Core Plank Workout:
Advanced Workouts:
Do not try these if you have never done a plank before. These are workouts to build up to once you successfully establish a good foundation of standard planks (and probably only once you've managed to do some of the intermediate workouts).
15 Minute Advanced Plank Workout:
See details in this article ~ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/plank-abs-workout
FitnessBlender 10 minute Advanced Plank Workout (this looks brutal):
https://youtu.be/3DNN9a5pU2A
Remember, multiple sets of short duration well-executed planks will be better than longer holds:
https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/are-you-holding-planks-too-long/
More excellent tips here. Thanks to @dewit for sharing!
https://youtu.be/lismOShjHnA
This is a pretty simple challenge thread for those that want to have some accountability with their plank workouts. This plank challenge thread is meant to be flexible enough that people of various fitness levels should be able to successfully complete it as long as they are consistent with doing their planks regularly. If you find you cannot complete 60 minutes. or want to do more, you are welcome to set your own goals, many of us do.
Original Challenge Goal - 60 minutes of planks for the month. That's about 2 minutes of planks daily, or 3 minutes of planks for 20 days or 5 minutes of planks for 12 days...or...what ever you want to do to reach the challenge goal. I, personally, do mixed planks of up to 10 minutes per day. I split them up throughout my normal workouts or do them in a couple of longer mixed sets at the end of my normal workout routine.
>>If you are already a planking superstar or start to consistently hit the challenge goal, feel free to post your own goal at the beginning of the challenge that is higher than the one for the posted challenge. Or post an updated goal once you hit 60 minutes.
>>If you join us late in the month, feel free to post an alternate goal that is in the spirit of the original challenge (for example, joining around the 15th would be a 30 minute plank challenge to finish out the month).
How many sets? As many as you need. If you can do a 5 minute plank in one set, that is amazing!! If you want to do a few sets of 1 - 2 minute planks, that's amazing too! If you need to break up your planks into multiple sets of 15-30 seconds, that's complete fine! I do a 5-minute set that goes something like this:
30 seconds forearm, 30 seconds straight arm with 15 push ups added in for good measure, 30 seconds left side plank, 30 seconds right side plank, repeat the 30 second side planks until I hit 5 minutes total without stopping. Mixing things up gives me a more rounded workout, and I generally never hold any one position longer than 1 minute. I'll then stop, do some yoga, stretching, maybe a few crunches or leg lifts, inverted bicycles, then I'll go back and do this 5-minute plank again to finish up my 10 minutes for the day. Feel free to create your own or mix things up however you would like.
Types of planks? ALL planks and their variations count! Straight arm planks, forearm/elbow planks, side planks, reverse planks, etc. This allows you to vary your planks depending on your personal workout goals. (See next post for a variety of planking ideas.) I even add push ups during some of my planks as well as leg raises, etc. to push just a bit harder. Remember form is more important than length of the plank. Don't slouch. Make sure your core is tight during each plank, don't put all the pressure on your arms or legs, don't slouch. There are plenty of youtube videos (some examples below) about how to make a plank effective with good form. Take some time and view a few of them. It'll help in the long run. Your times can increase as you get better, no worries if you can only do a few seconds at first. Rest, and do a few more seconds, or switch positions. If any of you find better examples you’d like included in the examples below, please post them and I’ll add them in next month. Want to make your own video? Go for it, I’d be super happy to post it.
How to join / participate? Just post your intended goal, then the total minutes of the planks you did for the day and your running total for the month. Just post either daily or as often as you can with your running totals. Some of us only get time to post on the weekends or get tied up doing other things. Catch up when you can, no pressure. No spreadsheets, no groups. Easy peasy.
Last month's 60 minute plank challenge thread:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10774200/60-minutes-per-month-plank-challenge-december-2019
Welcome and get planking!!
I am continuing this challenge for @Spliner1969 who continued it for @b3achy, the original author. All credit goes to her for starting this thing many many moons ago. All original examples, quoted text, and ideas were, and still are, her contribution. She tells me she copied this from another site, well.. it's ours now! I take no credit here, just keeping the torch lit in her absence. Stay tuned for some examples, and happy planking!
I'd like to add (as stated above in bold) that it has long since been a tradition that we accept any goal. If you don't feel you can do 60 minutes, or if you start late in the month, we want you here. So post your personal goal and start planking. You can come back each month and increase your times until you reach the challenge goal or go beyond it. Some of us go way beyond it and that's ok too. There's no need to feel you have to out match someone else. Your goals are just that, yours. We have never been judgmental. Everyone needs a strong core, and we believe this is a good path to that goal!
Some examples:
30 Day Beginner Plank Challenge - builds to a 2 minute plank (total is 26 minutes and 55 seconds for the month, so 33 minutes and 5 seconds short of 60 minutes. Recommend doing multiples earlier in the program when they are shorter to get more minutes for 60):
30 Day Advanced Plank Workout - building to 5 minute planks (total is 53 minutes and 20 seconds for the month, so 6 minutes and 40 seconds short of 60 minutes unless you do multiples earlier in the program):
Here's an Alternate 30 Day Plank Workout (for beginners, intermediate, and advanced) that also builds to 5 minutes of Planks (by doing multiples of no more than 30 sec planks; also 53 minutes and 20 seconds for the month):
For details on the variations, here's the full slideshow: https://www.slideshare.net/TodaysFitnessTrainer/30-day-plank-challenge
@b3achy wrote: »
Intermediate Plank Workouts:
These are intermediate level workouts, good to try once you have a good foundation of standard planks and are looking for something more interesting or with more variety.
3 minute Bowflex Plank Workout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynUw0YsrmSgRebecca Louise 5 minute Plank Workout (shows nearly proper form (butt's a little too far in the air, IMO), and modified forms):
https://youtu.be/O1Ge7uGpjFYDareBee 5 minute Plank Workout:
DareBee Killer Core Plank Workout:
Advanced Workouts:
Do not try these if you have never done a plank before. These are workouts to build up to once you successfully establish a good foundation of standard planks (and probably only once you've managed to do some of the intermediate workouts).
15 Minute Advanced Plank Workout:
See details in this article ~ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/plank-abs-workout
FitnessBlender 10 minute Advanced Plank Workout (this looks brutal):
https://youtu.be/3DNN9a5pU2ARemember, multiple sets of short duration well-executed planks will be better than longer holds:
https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/are-you-holding-planks-too-long/
More excellent tips here. Thanks to @dewit for sharing!
https://youtu.be/lismOShjHnA6
Replies
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I m in
4 -
I'm in. I have planked before but have fallen out of the plank graces. I will break up my 2 minutes per day and will be way over an above 2 minutes before the month is out!6
-
I am in and want to be accountable in the new year!
4 -
In again3
-
I'm in 😀3
-
I am going to give this a try. I do them off and on but hopefully this will keep me more consistent.3
-
I’m in!3
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Count me in!!!3
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Wow, so many examples to work from- thank you for leading this!
My own challenge for the year is at least one burpee everyday, so any planking would be a side help to excel there as well as help my core strengthening needs. 😉
Not even sure how long I can go in one stint yet but will set myself up with the suggested 60minute in January, with a mini goal of 15 per week. 🤗
Jan 7 0/15
Jan 14 0/15
Jan 21 0/15
Jan 28 0/15
Let’s plank! 😜
2 -
I’m in! 60 minutes for the month sounds good.2
-
Goal 100 minutes
January 1st 2×2, 1×1 = 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Remaining: 953 -
Thank you @jeffrey_ad for another month.
I'm going in to hospital for surgery on the 14th (hysterectomy) so planking will be out for quite a while afterwards.
But I will aim for 60 mins by the 14th.
01/01 6 mins mixed planks6 -
I’m in. Need core. 😁4
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I’m in! 2 min per day forearm plank until I build up to the fancier ones!2
-
Going to give this another go. I am in.
1/1 2.5 min mixed planks
Total: 2.5 min2 -
Goal 60minute in January, with a mini goal of 15 per week. 🤗
Jan 7 0.5/15
Jan 14 0/15
Jan 21 0/15
Jan 28 0/15
Super humbling- lasted just 31 seconds in a forearm plank, and I gave everything to it 😲2 -
I'd like to join! I'll do my 'test' plank tonight to see what my strength level looks like right now.2
-
2/60 This too was super humbling for me. Full plank - I made it 2 minutes, but with breaks that I subtracted out. Longest hold was 25 seconds. Most other holds were close to that. Got some work to do!3
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I'm going to stem off of old goals. In the spring of last year, I was doing 10 one minute forearm planks at various times throughout the day. I did it every day for a month and a half. My goal now is to do a minimum of 4 one minute forearm planks. If I miss a day, I will add them into other days. My overall goal is monthly and to get 124 minutes of forearm planks. Good luck to all of us in this new year!2
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I’m In 😊 Goal is 60mins for the month of January.
Jan 1: 3mins
Jan 2: 3mins2 -
Goal 100 minutes
January 1st: 2×2, 1×1 = 5 minutes straight arms
January 2nd: 1×1 elbow plank, 2×1 straight arms, 4×30 seconds side planks = 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Remaining: 902 -
Trying to tackle "5 Minute Plank Workout"
Jan 02: 3 min total-60 sec Full Plank, 30 sec elbow- 30 sec raised leg (15 sec/leg), 60 sec. side (30 sec/side)
Wow- that was hard!4 -
60minutes in January, with a mini goal of 15 per week. 🤗
Jan 7 1.5/15
Jan 14 0/15
Jan 21 0/15
Jan 28 0/15
Second attempt was better! 63 seconds. 😁
2 -
Jan 02 - 5x30s straight arm plank
Jan 03 - 5x30s straight arm plank
Total: 5/60 mins3 -
Goal 60 minutes by Jan 14th.
01/01 6 mins mixed planks
02/01 6 mins mixed planks
03/01 6 mins mixed planks
Total 18 minutes3 -
1/3
2 minute full plank. not much easier today, but I did it
4/60
2 -
Goal 100 minutes
January 1st: 2×2, 1×1 = 5 minutes straight arms
January 2nd: 1×1 elbow plank, 2×1 straight arms, 4×30 seconds side planks = 5 minutes
January 3d: 1×1 elbow plank, 2×1 straight arms =3
Total: 13 minutes
Remaining: 873 -
Goal 100
Jan 1 rest day 🎉
Jan 2 5:00 (2x5x30s)
Jan 3 5:00 (2x5x30s)
Total 10
Remaining 903 -
60minutes in January, with a mini goal of 15 per week. 🤗
Jan 7 2.5/15
Jan 14 0/15
Jan 21 0/15
Jan 28 0/15
Third attempt was meh: 61 seconds. For some reason I expected to do twice that! Maybe I should do it in the morning first thing. 🧐
2 -
Goal 100
Jan 1 rest day 🎉
Jan 2 5:00 (2x5x30s)
Jan 3 5:00 (2x5x30s)
Jan 4 5:00 (2x5x30s)
Total 15
Remaining 852
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